December 5

I love it when God brings me to the same concept in the Bible from different directions. God confirms in me YES GRACE think upon that.

That happened yesterday with Isaiah 40:11
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

In our study of the Names of God, I learned that Jehovah Raah is "The LORD is my shepherd." Looking in Scripture to see where God is referred to as a shepherd brought me to Isaiah 40:11, which is a passage which inspired another one of the songs in The Messiah.

The 19th song is entitled, "He shall Feed His Flock," and features soprano and alto solos.

Thus the Names of God study overlapped the Advent study, and I kn0w that God is revealing Himself to me as my shepherd today.

Did you know that sheep are dumb? They are among the dumbest of animals, and only survive if they have a watchful shepherd. The Scriptures continually compare people to sheep, insulting but true, and Christ identified Himself as The Good Shepherd in John 10:14

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me."

Do you know Him? Really know Him? Sheep get to know their shepherd's voice and smell by spending time with him, as well as by following their parent sheep who are in turn following their shepherd. It's all about trust. Once the sheep trust the Shepherd, the sheep can rest securely and just follow him from pasture to pasture. They're still dumb and helpless on their own, but they are secure in their Shepherd.

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Did you get that? Without Him we sheep can do nothing.

What a great concept for the busiest month of the year. Apart from Him and His leading, I can be a pretty dumb sheep and wander right off the cliff of busyness. In this month more that any other I need the guidance of my shepherd. I want to find the comfort of His rod and staff as stated in Psalm 23:4. I need to know my Shepherd well enough that I can completely trust Him and His plan for my life, my month and my day. And I need to stay close enough to Him to feel His nudging - within a staff's length for sure.

As you meditate on Psalm 23, talk to your Shepherd. Thank Him for the promise of Isaiah 40:11 - that He will tend to you, gather you, carry you close. Rest in Him.

Psalm 23 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Organizational Tip of the Day
Instead of sending out cards to everyone you know, select a few people to whom you can actually write a few lines of personal greeting. Maybe mail one or two each day? Christmas is about relationship...don't let the "stuff" steal the joy of the relationships.